In contrast with his enemies’ wickedness, the psalmist, in this closing strophe (verses 5-6), expresses reliance on Yahweh and his trust in him. The personal pronoun at the beginning of verse 5 in Hebrew may be emphatic: “But I, on my part”; so New English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant.
I have trusted translates a verb meaning to rely on, depend on, place confidence in (see the related noun in 4.8). The continuative aspect may be better represented in English by “I am trusting” or “I always trust.” Trusted must be translated idiomatically in many languages; for example, “have a thick heart” or “place your heart upon.”
Steadfast love translates a complex set of relations and emotions. It is frequently necessary to render these in a clause containing a verb with both actor and object made explicit. Line a may thus be rendered “I will place my heart upon you because you love me faithfully” or “… because you love me all the time.” See comment on steadfast love in 5.7.
Rejoice is the same verb as in verse 4b.
Thy salvation (Good News Translation “you will rescue me”) must often be recast as a verbal clause and expressed idiomatically; for example, “cause me to live” or “make me see life.” See also comments at 3.8.
I will sing translates a verb that is used many times in Psalms. Good News Translation “to you, O LORD” is a change from the third person, to the LORD, to the second person of direct address, a change made to maintain uniformity with the preceding verse. In translation it is often necessary to make explicit the object of the singing; for example, “I will sing songs to you.”
Has dealt bountifully means “has treated generously” (Good News Translation “you have been good”). This translates a verb which means to deal with, either in a good or a bad sense, depending on the context; see 7.4 “if I have requited … evil.” Here it obviously means to benefit, bless, be good to.
New American Bible takes the last line of verse 6 to be the words that in the first line the psalmist vows to sing: “Let me sing of the LORD, ‘He has been good to me.’ ”
By a slight change of the Masoretic text, which has “to me” at the end of verse 6, Dahood gets a divine title, “because the Most High has done (good).” At the end of verse 6, the Septuagint adds “and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High,” which Bible de Jérusalem and New Jerusalem Bible follow. This is possible but is not very probable; the Masoretic text is to be preferred.
Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .